The College Years

The greatest college radio show of all time. The Sound of Young America is today an award-winning syndicated public radio show. Five years ago, it was three guys' college radio show. The College Years takes you into that history.

Jesse speaks with Tim and Eric, about their early love for the game, and their intense trivia knowledge of it. Then Will Carroll talks to Jesse about the current steroid issue in baseball. They discuss local baseball teams of the Bay area, as well as injury and trading reports. Lastly, Jesse talks to Bill Lee about what it's like to get older but still love playing the game of baseball enough to continue.

Jesse sadly announces Mitch Hedberg's passing and reflects on his work as a comedian. Then comedian Al Madrigal speaks about his upcoming appearance at the 826 Valencia Comedy Benefit and also takes time to look back at Hedberg's life. Then comedian and radio host Mark Maron talks about his experience as a radio personality and role in comedy.

Jesse talks to New York writer, artist, and musician Paul D. Miller, AKA DJ Spooky. Then writer Sharon Waxman talks about her book Rebels on the Backlot, which discusses the indie film explosion of the mid 1990's.

Jesse speaks with the founders of the Lebowski Fest, Will Russell and Scott Shuffitt. Then, author Seth Greenland talks about his book Shining City. Finally, callers call in to talk about marmots! What's a marmot, you ask? Listen to find out! Or google it.

Jesse talks to Amy Krouse Rosenthal, writer of numerous books for children and adults, host of NPR's Mission Amy KR, and creator of numerous short films. Next Jesse talks to Ricky Jay: magician, author, actor and historian.

In this episode, Jesse recalls an interview he and Jordan conducted with Colin Meloy, singer/songwriter of The Decemberists. Then Jesse interviews Harvey Pekar, best known for his autobiographical "American Splendor" comic series.

In this episode, Jesse starts off by explaining the newfangled technology of "podcasting." Then Tom Scharpling and Jon Wurster talk to Jesse about the age old technology of radio. The back half of the episode is a track taken from a best of The Best Show on WFMU.

In this episode, The Sound of Young America celebrates The Second City, one of comedy's great institutions. Appropriately, Jesse talks to Anne Libera, author of The Second City Almanac of Improvisation.

Today's episode is a very special tribute to Ol' Dirty Bastard. In it, Jesse and guest-host Jim "Master of Would You Rather" Real welcome Improv Everywhere founder Charlie Todd, and partake in a little radio improvisation themselves.

In this episode of The College Years, Jesse Thorn welcomes a few notable men. To start things off, Jesse welcomes Chuck D, of Public Enemy fame. For the second half, Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, also known as Tim & Eric, visit the show to talk about Tom Goes to the Mayor.

On this edition of the The College Years, Jesse welcomes guest hosts Rob Baedeker and James Reichmuth of Kasper Hauser fame and eternal MaxFun friendship. First off, the gentlemen talk with the casting director of Steve Harvey's Big Time Challenge. Next, Jesse interviews Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors. And lastly, the hilarious Zach Galifianakis drops by for a brief interview.

Jesse Thorn, by his lonesome, welcomes two very funny men on this episode of The Sound of Young America. Look forward to the great writer and radio host Tom Scharpling as well as the never not funny comedian Eugene Mirman.

Listen in as Jesse Thorn and special guest host, Maria Schell welcome truly talented people on The Sound of Young America. You can look forward to writer Kristin Gore, funnyman Patton Oswalt, and graphic novelist Art Spiegelman on this week's show.

In this edition of The College Years, special guest-host Kathi Kamen-Goldmark joins Jesse as they welcome a few chosen people on The Sound of Young America. First, Jesse and Kathi talk to Chris Jackson from H.O.P.E. in America about Paris Hilton's 2004 dallience with literature. Right after that, Count Bass D drops some knowledge on the show. And to end things, Sarah Silverman graces the show with her funny.

In this episode, Jesse starts things off with a celebration of the music of Randy Newman. Then, cartoonist Dan Piraro talks about Bizarro and politics. Also, Dame Edna Everage graces the show with her presence.

Jesse and Jordan host this College Year with rock and roller and high five ambassador Teddy from The Gaskets. Throw in some ticket giveaways, some music, and some mocktails and you've got a hell of a show.

Jesse and Jordan host a comedic romp through comedy with an interview with The Second City's Allison Bills. Also in this episode: some Nichols and May bits and talk of Rooster T Feathers and its patrons.

The College Years is back with a vengeance! Our hosts, Jesse, Jordan, and Brian interview famous comedian Doug Benson on the Marijuana-Logues and The Oscars. Also in this show, NY correspondent "Big Time" Gene O'Neill and a joke about The Sound of Young America getting broadcast nationally.

Boy oh boy do we have a show for you. Famous actor-turned-musician Steve Burns, of Blues Clues fame is interviewed by Jesse and Jordan. Much more in this program including fan-favorite Jesse's Little Brother Brendan Tells a Joke, an interview with foreign correspondent, Giant Talking Bear, and advice for Jesse's brother, John.

Ladies and gentlemen, this one is a doozy. Join Jordan and Jesse on a particularly poor recording in which a flugtag participant and the Sklar brothers are interviewed. Also: the extreme weatherman, Jim Real's Would You Rather, The New Sincerity Minute, and 60 Minutes commercials.

Step right up for a heck of a show, folks! This week: professional namer Dave Hurlbert and "Big Time" Gene O'Neil are interviewed by your hosts Jordan and Jesse. Also in this spectacular spectacle: Jim Real's Would You Rather and campaign commercials.

This week, an interview with one of America's favorite icons, Dustin Diamond. Jesse, Gene and Jordan talk with Screech about how he chooses work, his band and the Milwaukee Metal Fest as Gene tries to derail "Choo Choo!". Please note this is a repost.

In this lonely episode of The College Years, Jordan and Jesse are joined by author of Masters of Doom, David Kushner. Also, comedy from and interview with a Emily Plum of Anne Francisco & Her Cable Car Casualties. Also, Jim Real's Would You Rather and Running The Numbers.

Holy guacamole it's been a while since the likes of The College Years has rolled around. This program, hosted by Jordan and Jesse this week, has Joshua Piven (author of The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook and As Luck Would Have It) and referee Jingy of Kaiju Big Battel. Also in this episode: Jim Real's Would You Rather?, Hang It Up/Keep It Up, and the historic first mention of The New Sincerity. This one's a keeper, folks.

A star-studded episode of The College Years, hosted by Jesse and Jordan, featuring Patton Oswalt and Colin Meloy of The Decemberists, a rock and roll band. Bold statements and double-decker tacos--just two of the many things you'll hear in this blast from the past.

Spooky Suicide and Katie Suicide of The Suicide Girls join Jordan and Jesse for this arousing episode of The College Years. Also in this episode: Jim Real's famed "Would You Rather?", Erotic Confessions, Point/Counterpoint: Sexual intercourse or the new Zelda game?, and A Tribute to France.

Davy Rothbart of Found Magazine and Horatio Q Fizzlebottom--Santa Cruz's most eccentric millionaire--joins Jordan, Jesse, and Gene. Also in this episode, dreaming of Christopher Walken and "Would You Rather?"

Comedian Louis CK joins Jesse, Gene, and Jordan on this week's
installment, with a special appearance by JB Smooth, but before that: A
tribute to Adam West and "Who Would Win in a Fight?" with Jim. All this
and more on this week's The College Years.

Guests David Cross and Reel Big Fish. Gene and Jordan, minus Jesse and plus Brian, get to talk to David Cross until an alarm sound cuts off the interview. They finish up with an extended interview with ska band Reel Big Fish. But first, "The Divine Hand of Adam West"!

Guest Swamp Dogg. Jordan and Gene talk to Inspector 14, inspector of
undergarments, while Jesse is suspiciously quiet. Later, soul legend
Swamp Dogg candidly talks about his bizarre career in music, as the
guys intermittently play some of his songs.

Guest David Wain of Stella and The State. Jesse, Jordan and Gene talk to the new state bird of California and the old one; later, David Wain talks to the guys about why The State was so good and not currently on the air.

After a long summer hiatus, Gene, Jordan and Jesse return with a vengeance. The first ever appearance of "Hang It Up" (before "Keep It Up" was even a glimmer in Jesse's eye). The XXXTreme Weatherman. Traffic from the Foppish Dandy. Also: a quiz bowl between Dan and the head of the UCSC Cheer Squad.

May 31st, 2001. The school year was ending, and with it, our first few months of The Sound of Young America. We closed with a bang -- our original radio drama, Mace Detective, Private Detective. And more.

This week, Jesse and Jordan battle it out -- who is the best boyfriend? Our guests are their girlfriends. Gene, single, joins in the grilling. Jordan's girlfriend was still in high school at the time. Jesse's girlfriend had flown in from New York. Five years later, this whole show is very embarassing for all involved.

Some amazing tales this week. Jordan talks about getting put in Disneyland jail for using a bubble pipe. Gene talks about trying to convince an authority figure that he was holding something other than what was quite obviously a beer. Jesse talks about the time his mother got arrested for robbing a bank. Plus Vanessa sits in, and we hear from the Evil Computer Bent on World Destruction.

On this Sound of Young America: The College Years, we celebrate America's Greatest City: New York, New York. Sorry for feed troubles earlier this week, this should be fixed.

This includes taking travel tips from listeners, and calling various offices in the New York tourism department, trying to get them to reccomend a phone booth that we can use for a simulcast. As it turns out, there is a phone booth in the ground floor of the Empire State Building, but there is not one on top.

This week's show features Extreme Weather, the Evil Computer Bent on World Domination, an all-time team, a dream in which emo kids take over a university/spacecraft, and an extensive and contentious discussion of the merits of the Radiohead album Kid A.